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American Medical Association Says the Flu Vaccine This Year “Is More Important Than Ever”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Medical Association (AMA) said the flu vaccine this year “is more important than ever” to protect oneself from influenza.
“Public health experts have emphasized that during the COVID pandemic, it is important for people of all ages to get seasonal flu vaccine this year,” a Mott Poll report reads.
“Flu vaccination is part of a comprehensive public health strategy to reduce the burden of flu in the population and to preserve scarce health care resources as we continue to respond to the pandemic,” the AMA said in a Wednesday press release, which was published days after the Mott Poll report.
Parents and the Flu Vaccine
The report explains that the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health asked a national sample of parents last month about getting a vaccine for their children 2 to 18 years old.
Two-thirds of parents “intend to have their child get a flu vaccine this year,” according to the report. About 49% of parents are very likely to do so, while 19% are likely.
32% of parents believe their child is unlikely to get the vaccine this year. Their “the most common reasons include concerns about side effects from flu vaccine (42%) and belief that flu vaccine is not necessary (40%) or effective (32%).”
On the other hand, 14% will not seek the said vaccine. They “They are keeping children away from health care sites due to COVID,” these parents say. Meanwhile, 9% say their child fears needles or does not want to get a flu vaccine.
AMA President Dr. Susan R. Bailey explained that routine vaccination is vital preventative care for children, adolescents, and adults. He added that it “should not be delayed because of the pandemic.”
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